James C. Ferrer ’70

Jimmy, honored educator and one of a family of dedicated Princetonians, died Oct. 11, 2018, of cancer on Long Island.

He is remembered with warmth and a smile by his classmates, although given the many distractions of the ’60s he spent only one year with us. Seeking a change of venue, he transferred to Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he graduated with honors. He began a life’s work in education as a Latin teacher, earned a master’s degree at Columbia Teachers College, and then advanced to administration, beginning as assistant headmaster at his alma mater, the Buckley School, and continuing through his headmastership of East Woods School and Hampton Day School. His devotion to his students was the stuff of legend.

Jimmy was a bulwark of the volunteer community in Southampton, in St. Andrew’s Dune Church, the Bathing Corp., and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, where he enjoyed the famed course and served as a governor for 30 years. He co-founded the Shinnecock Hills Education Fund, which following his death was renamed in his honor. Jimmy’s funeral at the church and the following reception at Shinnecock overflowed with friends and admirers.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jeanne; sons Bowe ’98 and Andrew ’03; four grandchildren; and siblings Tom ’64, Linda, and Molly. With them, we celebrate a humane life and legacy that brings great honor to us all.